Spending on research at Penn State reached an all-time high in 2005, totaling $638 million.

According to an annual Penn State research report for the 2005 fiscal year released this month, the expenditures increased almost 45 percent from 2000, in which spending was $440 million.

Professors conducted more than 1,500 research projects.

According to the report, funding from the state also increased 30 percent to $40 million.

According to the report, federal expenditures at $365 million constitute more than 50 percent of total expenditures.

Associate Vice President for Research Henry Foley said the additional expenditures come from state and corporate sources.

Foley said because the university is a land-grant school, it has a commitment to the state and a large part of the research directly affects state residents.

"We have a special mission," Foley said.

Vice President for Research Eva Pell said the state government is interested in research because it's a generator for economic growth and helps companies expand.

Pell said the state is also concerned with agriculture issues and the health and safety of food in Pennsylvania, so Penn State does research in these areas that concern the citizens.

In addition to state funding, the U.S. Department of Defense funded $145 million in 2005 and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funded $99 million.

Pell said the Applied Research Lab on campus, which does extensive research that applies to the U.S. Military and Department of Defense, has been navy-sponsored for 60 years.

She said the Hershey Medical Center and the health-related colleges at University Park benefit the Department of Health with research, including issues related to drugs and alcohol abuse, children, youth and families.

According to the report, Penn State is ranked third in industry-sponsored research, and Pell said the university has held this position for many years.

She said it relates back to the idea of Penn State's being a land-grant school and uses practical applications for new discovery in research.

"We are proud to be of service in and outside of [Pennsylvania]," Pell said.

Even though Penn State is at the forefront of research, Foley said, the university is also committed to being at the forefront of teaching.

Foley said it is at the advantage of the students to attend a research university because the value of their degree increases.

"We are committed to both teaching and research," he said.

Pell said students benefit more from both classroom instruction and outside instruction.

She added that at Penn State, every research lab provides student involvement, so there are many opportunities.

Some students like Josh Scheffey (junior-criminal justice) agree. "Research gives credibility to the college," he said.

Scheffey said research gives the opportunity to know what is going on in the world, and he thinks professors who apply their work experience to the classrooms are more interesting and informative.

Kevin Salvo (senior-information sciences and technology) said students could see what their jobs entail outside the university setting, and the research also benefits different companies.

"When you give back to companies, they give back to you with research funds," Salvo said.